MP Jo Cox suffered multiple stab and gunshot wounds, inquest hears

Labour MP Jo Cox died from multiple stab and gunshot wounds, a coroner has been told.

During a short hearing that lasted just six minutes at Bradford Coroner’s Court, the court heard she died as a result of multiple stab and gunshot wounds.

Opening the inquest senior coroner Martin Fleming said: “This is the inquest into the very sad death of Helen Joanne Cox who tragically died on June 16.”

The court heard Mrs Cox’s body was identified by her sister, Kim Leadbeater in Bierley, Bradford, after her death.

It was also revealed Mrs Cox wasn’t taken to hospital after being pronounced dead in an ambulance at the scene at 1.48pm.

Detective Inspector Nick Wallen of West Yorkshire Police said: “On Thursday 16 June, 2016 just after 12.52pm, both the police and ambulance service were called by a number of people who made emergency calls to Market Street in Birstall town centre, where initial information was that a man with a gun and a knife had attacked and seriously injured a man and a woman.

“Police officers and paramedics arrived quickly at the scene and first they found a male named Bernard Carter-Kenny, aged 77, being tended to by members of the public.

“He had sustained a wound to the abdomen.”

DI Wallen said the emergency services also found a woman nearby who was being tended to by members of the public.

He continued: “It was immediately clear who was very seriously injured.

“A number of people informed police that the lady was Jo Cox, Member of Parliament for Batley and Spen.”

DI Wallen said Mrs Cox was taken into a ambulance by paramedics where they “tended to her but were unable to save her life.”

The court heard Thomas Mair, 52, had been charged with her murder and had made a number of appearances at magistrates court and the Old Bailey.

DI Wallen added that a second post-mortem examination hadn’t been requested by Mair’s defence team.

Mr Fleming concluded the inquest by saying: “This gives me the opportunity to release the body so the family can get on with the grieving process.

“Quiet rightly there will is an extensive criminal inquiry underway.”

Mr Fleming suspended the hearing pending the outcome of the criminal hearings.